Author: Matt and Danielle
11 October 2023
Queensland is the second largest state in Australia and it takes up a big chunk of the East Coast. It's often referred to as the Sunshine State, because...well, it gets lots of sun. There are a tonne of incredible places to visit in Queensland. We didn't want to compile a large list with very little information on each place. Instead, we have broken it down into two separate blogs for you. This will cover everything up to Magnetic Island. Above that is an area referred to as Tropical North Queensland, and you can see all those popular places to visit right here.
Here is everything you need to add to your Queensland bucket list.
Best time of year to visit Queensland: With Queensland being such a massive state there isn't one time of year that works for every part. The one constant is that summer is very hot all over Queensland. It can be well over 30 degrees, and higher the further North you get. Luckily, they don't call it the Sunshine State for nothing, as it is usually sunny all year round. The best time to visit Queensland falls between June to September, which is between Winter and spring. You would want to be further North in June, as South East Queensland would be pretty cold at this point. In September the lower part would be perfect, whereas Cairns and above would be starting to get too hot around September.
How to travel around Queensland: Having driven a lap around Australia in our campervan you can guess our preferred method. An awesome East Coast Road trip living your dream van life Down Under. If you have your heart set on exploring in a campervan then check out our guide on how to buy a campervan in Australia here. We also have some different options in there if you're not going to be in Australia for long enough to buy, or want to see some alternatives.
Now that you know a little bit more about the state, we can get into the good stuff. Here are all the best places to visit in Queensland, Australia.
Springbrook National Park sits right on the border of New South Wales and Queensland. The luscious rainforest has a bunch of amazing walking trails, waterfalls and incredible views. If you're on a tight schedule then Perlingbrook Falls and Morans Falls are both a must.
Gold Coast is where skyscrapers meet the ocean. It is awesome seeing those tall towering buildings perfectly lining the sand and sea. If you're torn between city life and wanting to be by the ocean then you may find your perfect haven right here. Gold Coast is a popular surf destination in Australia and has amazing beaches to go alongside the barreling waves. With the city being right there you also have great places to eat and cute coffee shops. One of the benefits of being on the East Coast is that it's where the sun rises. Any early birds will want to make their way to the shores to see some magical views.
There are tonnes of trips to take and things to do in Brisbane. It is the third largest city in Australia after all, so of course, there is a lot to see. Even if you're not looking to explore cities during your time in Australia you will still want to stop off here. From Brisbane, you can hop on a whale-watching boat to see pods of humpback whales jumping out of the ocean. We saw around 10 pods of whales when we did this tour! We genuinely couldn't believe our eyes. Moreton Island is another popular tourist attraction. You can snorkel the Tangalooma shipwreck, cruise the beach in a 4WD and explore the beautiful Moreton Island.
An hour North of Brisbane you can also reach the world-famous Australia Zoo, which is a fun day out for all the family. Australia is renowned for its unique wildlife, so why not see some of those amazing animals up close?!
We loved Carlo Sandblow because it gives you the best view of Rainbow Beach. It's a bit more of a hidden gem and one of the more fun things for families to do. Carlo Sandblow is high up on the cliffs overlooking Rainbow Beach. There are large, steep sand dunes all along a huge clear open space (Aussies might get where this is leading). When we visited there were a few free sandboards scattered around. Young kids were riding down them, laughing and having a great time. Combine this with the phenomenal views and you have one of the best things to see for the whole family.
Rainbow Beach is one of the best places to go in Queensland for 4-wheel driving. If you have a ute or rig of your own then you can cruise along the long stretch of beach with the ocean on one side, and huge mountains on the other. If you don't have a 4WD then you can still enjoy the breathtaking scenery all around you.
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and by far one of the best places in Queensland. If you're cruising along the East Coast in a 2WD campervan, and you feel like you're missing out on some of the awesome 4WD action. Now is your chance. Hop on a 4WD tour and spend a few days driving along the beaches and through the rainforests. See all the wonders Fraser Island has to offer. It's a unique and fun experience and one of our favourite places in Australia.
If you'd like to know more about how to visit Fraser Island, then check out our complete guide here.
Noosa is the main thing that we would recommend once you reach the Sunshine Coast. It's a beautiful part of the coast and one of the places you must see in Queensland. The Noosa National Park is a stunning place to go for scenic walks, and there are plenty of beaches here to relax on too. This is very high on the list of the best places to see in Queensland, we absolutely loved it.
It can be difficult to find places to stay near Noosa, especially more budget-friendly options. If you're in a campervan then check out our list of top free campsites in Queensland. We include a great cheap option near Noosa.
Airlie Beach is a backpacker's paradise! It's a fun seaside town with lots to do and amazing places to eat. It's also the perfect gateway to visit the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the most iconic places to visit in Australia. There are plenty of things to see in this area, so much so that we have already written a whole blog on it. Check it all out in our ultimate guide to the Whitsundays.
If you're looking for an epic experience, and one of the best views of the Great Barrier Reef, then check out this scenic flight. It's a perfect way to see the vast beauty of the reef.
There is no doubt about it. This is one of the most beautiful places and top attractions in Australia, let alone Queensland. The Whitsundays sits within the Great Barrier Reef, a world heritage site due to its rich indigenous history and unique marine life. You can find some of Australia's best beaches here, like the world-famous Whitehaven Beach. You can find this on Whitsundays Island. It's not only one of the top Queensland attractions, it is a must for anyone planning a trip to Queensland.
You will have to book a tour to see the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. We would strongly recommend the Camira tour with Cruise Whitsundays. It's one of the best tours in Queensland. It has tonnes of awesome stops such as Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet and you can go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. There is also delicious food and unlimited beer, wine and cider. It's a steal and a great tour for couples, families and friends. There is a reason this is one of the most popular places to visit in Queensland.
There is so much more to know if you're looking to pay a visit to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays. Check out our Ultimate Guide for more.
Hamilton Island is another breathtaking island in the Great Barrier Reef. It's an awesome place to visit, even for a day trip. If you're looking to rest up, relax, or want a little luxury then you can find it all on Hamilton Island. It's a brilliant option for couples, and families and a perfect honeymoon destination. Anyone looking for a little romance should check out the sunset cruises.
The best way to get to Hamilton Island is via ferry from Airlie Beach. We took a day trip, but if you have the time then you will be able to explore much more, and at a leisurely pace, over a few days. Catseye Bay is a beautiful and popular beach. If you're looking to go a little off the beaten track then you will want to visit Coral Cove. It was our favourite beach on Hamilton Island. Pack plenty of water and snacks to make sure you can visit Passage Peak from here. This is where you can get a 360-degree view of the whole island.
Bowen is one of the more underrated attractions in Queensland. A local told us to visit Horseshoe Bay when first arrived. He claimed it was "the best beach on mainland Queensland". It was a bold statement, but it's tough to argue after visiting. the coast of Queensland is full of some of the best beaches in Australia, and Horseshoe Bay is among them for sure. The small horseshoe-shaped beach is covered in soft white sand and lined with rock formations that are great to explore. The water is crystal clear so take your snorkel!
There isn't much else to do around Bowen, but it's a great place to relax for a day or two.
We loved Lake Proserpine, and it was home to one of our favourite campsites in Australia too. The scenic drive to get there is amazing in itself. You can cruise along a winding road with a beautiful serene lake on your right, and tall green mountains on your left. It is beautiful and was one of the best Queensland tourist attractions for us. If you love fishing, paddleboarding or generally being by a beautiful lake in nature, then you will want to book in for a few nights. At $8 per person, per night, it's a steal!
We are making our way further towards tropical Queensland now and to another hidden gem. As we took on our lap of Australia we found a lot of Aussies were surprised we had visited Magnetic Island. Apparently, it's a popular spot for Australians, but not so much for tourists...and we cannot understand why. Magnetic Island is a place that needs to be included in your Australian adventure. You can take walks to spot and feed rock wallabies and snorkel some of the most amazing reefs. Your accommodation should be able to provide you with a map of all the best snorkelling trails on the island. There are beautiful beaches and rainforest walks where you can spot koalas. The main walking trail on the island is The Forts Walk, which takes you around most of the beaches and has incredible views. Like we said...there are a tonne of things to do here.
Selina Magnetic Island is the best place to stay on Magnetic Island. It's a reasonable price, and at one point there was a koala asleep in a tree next to our campervan! It really doesn't get better than that.
Plenty! At least we did anyway. Most of the popular places along the East Coast of Australia are easy to reach in a 2-wheel drive. If you want to venture further into Outback Queensland then you will likely need a 4-wheel drive. If you're planning on driving up to the tip of Australia in Far North Queensland then you definitely NEED a 4WD. All of the spots mentioned above are perfectly fine to reach in your car or 2WD campervan.
There are a bunch of incredible places to stay in Queensland. If you're cruising in your campervan then make sure to check out our list of best free campsites in Queensland. There are some fantastic places to stay and super convenient options all included.
If you're looking to head further up the coast of Queensland then we still have you covered. Make sure to check out our list of the top 11 places to visit in Tropical North Queensland. Find out all the best things to do in Cairns and other epic stops you have to include on your Queensland road trip.
Have we given you the travel bug? Book your flights, accommodation and travel insurance all here.
This blog may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Travel